Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Little Elm
Trash Day
Trash is collected once a week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once a week on the same day as your regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Brush and bulky waste are collected twice a month on your regular collection day (assigned to either the 1st and 3rd or 2nd and 4th weeks of the month).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling fees are bundled into your monthly Town of Little Elm municipal utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Automated Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Gray (95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged. Place the cart at the curb or alley by 7:00 a.m. The lid must be completely closed, and the cart must be kept at least 3 feet away from obstacles and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged regular household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue (95-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the cart (do not bag). Place the cart by 7:00 a.m. keeping it a full 3 feet away from your trash cart and any other obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Bulky items
- ✕Loose debris
- ✕Plastic garbage bags
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be tightly tied into 4-foot by 2-foot bundles weighing less than 50 pounds. Place on the curb on the designated trash day of your assigned bulk week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cut tree limbs
- ✓Brush
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice a month (YELLOW or BLUE schedule weeks).
Placement
Place in the grassy area between the sidewalk and the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the designated collection day. Never place in the alley.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Tied brush bundles
- ✓ Boxed loose debris (under 2x2x4 ft and 50 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial contractor debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Roofing shingles
- ✕ Brick and stone
Up to 6 cubic yards is included with service. Commercial or remodeling debris requires a paid estimate by calling CWD directly.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Little Elm and CWD observe major holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week are delayed by one day, shifting Friday routes to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulk and brush pickups scheduled for a holiday week will follow the exact same one-day delay as standard trash collection.
Always verify holiday shifts directly via the CWD website or the Town of Little Elm's official calendar, as unexpected delays occasionally occur.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall & Spring
April - May, October - NovemberTake advantage of the town's bi-annual Clean & Green Waste Collection events. Held at the Public Works Service Center, these events provide the only local opportunity for residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste like paint and pesticides.
Summer
June - AugustHot Texas summers can cause standard household waste to quickly generate foul odors and attract pests. Ensuring all trash is tightly bagged before placing it in your gray cart is mandatory in Little Elm and helps mitigate this issue.
Spring
March - MaySevere spring storms can create excessive yard debris. Residents can utilize the weekend Courtesy Drop-Site for storm debris removal or contact CWD for specialized pickups rather than waiting for their alternating bulk week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Turn Your Texas Bottles & Cans into Cold Cash in Little Elm!
While Little Elm doesn't have a dedicated local buyback center listed for that specific spot, keep your eyes peeled for special event recycling drives. Many places in Texas, especially around the DFW area, offer cash for aluminum cans and certain plastic bottles. Check out local scrap yards too; they often pay for metals like copper and aluminum. It's a great way to make a little extra money while keeping waste out of the landfill!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Little Elm?
Before you toss out items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! The closest Habitat for Humanity ReStore is in Denton, and they’re always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials. You can also check out local thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army in nearby communities. It’s a fantastic way to help others and reduce waste in Little Elm.
Keeping Little Elm Beautiful: What to Do About Piles of Stuff?
If you see any illegal dumping happening around Little Elm, don't just ignore it! The City of Little Elm encourages residents to report it. You can usually find contact information on the city's official website under public works or code enforcement. They might also have specific drop-off days for hazardous waste, like old paint or electronics, so watch out for those announcements to keep our community clean and safe.
Drop-off Facilities
Little Elm Courtesy Drop Site
1690 E. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, TX 75068
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
My garbage cart has a red tag on it. What does this mean?
A red tag indicates non-service. The top reasons include placing the cart too close to an obstacle (needs a 3-foot clearance), an open lid, placing hazardous waste inside, or setting the cart out of the automated truck's reach.
Do I need to schedule my bulk trash pickup in Little Elm?
No scheduling is required for standard bulk items. Simply check whether your address falls on the YELLOW (1st/3rd week) or BLUE (2nd/4th week) schedule and place up to 6 cubic yards out on your normal collection day.
Where do I place my bulk trash if my regular garbage is picked up in the alley?
Even if your standard gray and blue carts are serviced from a rear alleyway, all bulk trash and brush bundles must be placed at the front of your home in the grassy parkway between the sidewalk and the street.
What should I do if my trash or recycling cart is broken or goes missing?
You can order a replacement cart by contacting the Little Elm Utility Billing Department at 214-975-0480. Note that there is a $75 replacement fee for stolen or missing carts.